> NBA Winners by Genre

National Book Awards Acceptance Speeches

Lucille
Clifton,
Winner of the 2000 POETRY AWARD for
Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000

I am amazed, continually, at the roller coaster that
is my life. I am amazed and proud to be a patch on the
quilt that is contemporary American poetry. I am amazed
and proud of the support of my children, of my friends,
of my poetry family: my extended family. I am proud
of the support of Boa Editions that had two finalists.
I am very proud to have been listed with the wonderful,
stellar poets who were finalists. I am amazed. I thank
you very much, and I hope that I will continue to try
to deserve this award.